As the temperatures drop and flurries begin to fall over the city, New Yorkers hide from the cold in their five-story walk-ups or brave the frigid temperatures in their trusty black puffer coats. And while the winter brings with it the need to bid adieu to late sunsets, alas, seasonal depression begins to settle in.
On the bright side, there’s endless fun to be had in the wintertime to combat those winter blues, from igloo dining to tucking yourself away in a bar with a fireplace to escaping the city on a winter adventure! And, thankfully, we know a thing or two about the best whimsical winter getaways from NYC.
Find our favs below:
1. Burlington, VT
From perfectly curated holiday markets to access to skiing, there’s a reason why many people make the trek to Burlington once the snow starts falling. The town’s markets are the perfect place to find one-of-a-kind gifts for your loved ones, and those looking for a more adrenaline-inducing activity can head to one of the five different major ski resorts all within an hour of each other.
P.S. Burlington is also one of our favorite Christmas towns to head to during the holidays!
Distance from NYC: 6 hours driving
2. Lake Placid, NY
One of the most beautiful small towns in the world also happens to be one of our favorite winter getaways! Nestled in the Adirondack Mountains, Lake Placid offers the perfect balance of snowy adventure and lodge-style luxury.
Explore the woods with snowshoeing and cross country skiing trails or simply sit back with a cup of hot cocoa as you take in stunning views of towering mountains and snow-covered valleys. Either way, there’s something for everyone.
Distance from NYC: 5 hours driving
3. New Paltz, NY
Less than three hours from NYC is the charming town of New Paltz, filled with rugged mountain ridges and snow-dusted forests. If you’re looking for a bit of adventure you must visit Mohonk Preserve with more than 110 miles of trails in the Catskill wilderness perfect for a winter hike, cross-country skiing, and more.
Once you’re done, head to Historic Huguenot Street filled with 10 acres-worth of beautifully preserved 17th-century homes and buildings where you can embark on a guided tour year-round or cozy up at Mohonk Mountain House, a Victorian castle resort surrounded by 40,000 acres of pristine forest.
Distance from NYC: 2.5 hours driving
4. Pocono Mountains, PA
The stunning Pocono Mountains are a skiiers dream–they’re home to 185 slopes and trails, including steep, expert slopes, moderate trails for intermediate skiiers to cruise, and gentle beginner hills for learning.
Not too keen on skiing? No worries! You can also snow tube, snowmobile, set out on a pair of snowshoes, dogsled, ice skate, and ice fish. And when you’re done there’s a ton of opportunity to head to a quaint historic downtown area for some shopping.
Distance from NYC: 3 hours driving
5. Kennebunkport, ME
Another great place for cross-country skiing, head to Kennebunkport for Harris Farm–a working dairy farm that opens up its more than 20-miles-worth of trails to winter sports lovers each season. Or, if you’re really up for getting cold, you can even zip up your wetsuit and surf in the town’s icy waters.
Kennebunkport is also the place to be in the winter if you’re looking to have a quiet and relaxing time. It’s filled with quaint shops and art galleries and has no shortage of spots for a romantic dinner or glass of wine at a wine bar.
Distance from NYC: 5 hours driving
6. Hunter, NY
Nestled among the region’s highest peaks, Hunter is a true mountain town and is home to some of the top attractions in the Great Northern Catskills. Within the Town of Hunter, you’ll find two villages–Hunter and Tannersville–both of which offer a stunning scenery that has attracted many artists, poets, and writers who wished to trade in the city life for nature.
Head to Hunter Mountain Resort, one of New York State’s premier skiing destinations that’s great for adults and kids alike, or ditch the snow altogether and instead opt for a cozy bed and breakfast.
Distance from NYC: 2.5 hours driving
7. Litchfield County, CT
It’s hard to resist all the winter fun the snow-covered landscape of Litchfield has to offer–whether you’re interested in cross-country skiing, tubing, ice skating, or just good ol’ classic sledding Litchfield has got it.
Or you can even try something that not many people even know exist, such as watching ice yachts flying across the surface of Bantam Lake as it freezes with a thick layer of ice!
Distance from NYC: 2.5 hours driving
8. Cape May, NJ
Though Cape May is one of our favorite beach towns near NYC to visit in the summer, it also serves as one of our favorite whimsical winter getaways during which you can avoid all of the lines and crowds.
Grab yourself a hot cup of coffee before taking outdoors to do some winter birdwatching at Nature Conservancy at South Cape May Meadows, or give yourself some breaks from the cold as you pop in and out of all the local shops and boutiques.
Distance from NYC: 4 hours driving
9. Montreal, QC
We can’t let our friends over in Montreal have all the fun, so we’re heading there ourselves! Montreal fully embraces the winter season with all kinds of fun and free activities, from festive seasonal marketplaces and art exhibitions to ice skating and sledding in the snow.
And for even more fun, check out all these great guides of things to do in Montreal.
Distance from NYC: 6 hours driving
10. Rochester, NY
Besides being home to the world’s largest Donkey Kong arcade game, Rochester is also the ultimate cold weather destination as it fully embraces its snowy winters.
A trip here will have you tackling the many winter activities like a born-and-raised Rochesterian, from hitting the slopes to ski or snowboard and exploring Monroe County’s 12,000+ acres of parkland for a winter walk, hike, sledding, snowshoeing, or bird watching to ice skating in the heart of downtown and visiting the year-round public markets.
Distance from NYC: 6 hours driving